Dealing with Coaches and Spectators

As referees we are not always prepared to deal with coaches and spectators who become involved in the match taking place and are often not well informed about the game of soccer.

In the younger age groups, the players are just learning the game and more often than not coaches, parents and especially young officials are just beginning to learn and understand what this sport is about.

One skill all successful referees have in their tool box is the ability to deal with and manage people.

Coaches may become disruptive if and when the team is not performing to their expectations. They have spent countless hours preparing them for the game and things are not going as planned. Winning or losing the match becomes a reflection of the coach’s ability and worth. Coaches’ egos are related to wins and losses and because of it they may, regardless of the referee’s performance, become highly emotional and disruptive while in the technical area.

Parents and other spectators may have some emotional involvement with some players or a team. They also may not have a full understanding of the Laws of the Game or a good working knowledge of how the game is played. Although well meaning, in most instances, their ego may also lead to a disruptive behavior.